Contents

Acadians in Pennsylvania

For a history of Acadians from Nova Scotia who came to Pennsylvania in 1755, see Simone Vincens, Les IndomptesFHL book 974.8 F2v. This includes information for about 400 individuals. The text is in French.

African Americans

An important history is Edward Raymond Turner, The Negro in Pennsylvania: Slavery-Servitude-Freedom, 1639-1861 (New York, NY: Negro Universities Press, 1969; FHL book 974.8 F2t. It includes an extensive bibliography.

See also Charles L. Blockson, African Americans in Pennsylvania: A History and Guide(Baltimore, Maryland.: A DuForcelf book published by Black Classic Press, 1994); FHL book 974.8 F2bL.

A brief but helpful reference to sources at the State Archives is David McBride, The Afro-American in Pennsylvania: A Critical Guide to Sources in the Pennsylvania State Archives (Harrisburg, PA.: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1979); FHL book 974.8 A1, no. 199.

A potential source for information about individuals is Pennsylvania Abolition Society (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Manumissions and Indentures, ca. 1780-1840, Arranged by Name of Master or SlaveholderFHL films 1731983 (first of 7 films). Records are from various eastern states, including New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Georgia, and Virginia.

Freedman's Savings and Trust Company signature cards or registers may list a person's former masters, birth date, birthplace, occupation, residences, death information, parents, children, spouses, or siblings. Pennsylvania had one branch of this bank at Philadelphia from 1870 to 1874.

The signature registers for this branch are listed as Freedman's Savings and Trust Company (Washington, D.C.), 1865-1874, Registers of Signatures of Depositors in Branches of the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company, 1865-1874 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1969; FHL film 928571 (first of 20 films). Depositors are in order by account number.

The separate Freedman's Bureau records do not normally name relatives or give genealogical information. They can be found in the Subject Search of the Family History Library Catalog under FREEDMEN - PENNSYLVANIA.

A history of events before 1782 is H. Frank Eshleman, Historic Background and Annals of the Swiss and German Pioneer Settlers of Southeastern Pennsylvania and of their Remote Ancestors from the Middle of the Dark Ages, Down to the Time of the Revolutionary War . . . : With Particular Reference to the German-Swiss Mennonites or Anabaptists, the Amish and Other Non-resistant Sects (1917, reprint, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1969). At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Film 928291 item 8; and FHL book 974.81 F2se. It is organized chronologically by year.

A good history of modern times is Homer Tope Rosenberger, Pennsylvania Germans, 1891-1965 Frequently known as the "Pennsylvania Dutch"(1917 reprint, Lancaster, PA.: Pennsylvania German Society, 1966). At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 974.8 B4pg. It includes a brief account of events before 1891. It also has a description of "Outstanding Collections of Pennsylvania German Material" on pages 508-62.

A helpful genealogy of a small group of Pennsylvania Germans called "Schwenkfelders" is Samuel Kriebel Brecht, The Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelder Families: Seekers of Religious Liberty Who Fled from Silesia to Saxony and Thence to Pennsylvania in the Years 1731 to 1737 (New York, NY: Rand McNally, 1923). Vol 1 online; Vol 2 online; At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL film 1266718 and FHL book 974.8 F2b. This book is a revision of a work done in 1879.

A helpful index is Card index to Pennsylvania Germans in the magazines : Proceedings and addresses (Pennsylvania German Society); Pennsylvania Dutchman; PGFS or Pennsylvania German Folklore Society; Penn-Germania; The Pennsylvania-German; Historical review of Berks County; Reprint, the Morning call; some copied Bible records, 1713-1951, and news clippings (Microfilm of the original records is available at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1978). FHL Film 1204985 (first of 38 films).

Huguenots in Pennsylvania

Stapleton, Ammon. Memorials of the Huguenots in America, With Special Reference to Their Emigration [sic] to Pennsylvania. 1901; Reprint: Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1969. FHL film 1321463 item 16.

Welsh in Pennsylvania

Glenn, Thomas Allen. Merion in the Welsh Tract: With Sketches of the Townships of Haverford and Radnor, Historical and Genealogical Collections Concerning the Welsh Barony in the Province of Pennsylvania, Settled by the Cymric Quaker in 1682. Norristown, PA.: Herald Press, 1896. FHL book 974.81 D2g and FHL film 833377.